It is 1218 and 16-year-old John, squire to Sir Alwyn, is faced with a momentous decision. His greatest longing is to find the father whose name and person he has never known, but who is rumored to be alive. John has arrived in the Holy Land at the time of the 5th Crusade to carry out this search. After battle, capture and setbacks, John is drawn to the remarkable friar whose joyful faith may not only bring a solution to his difficulties, but immediately touches the heart of a lonely boy on the brink of manhood. Book jacket.